Benh Zeitlin's BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

I’m glad I saw this film, it’s a pleasure to see something that’s grounded in reality but sufficiently fantastic to the point where the dividing line between the two becomes blurred. Some of the images in this film are totally arresting. Wild parties. Tablefulls of shrimp and crab. Flooded shacks that look like Walt Kelly fever dreams.

I won’t attempt to summarize the story now nor shall I rhapsodize about the first time actors, young and old. Let’s just say that the story concentrates on strong-willed people who are just getting by as it is who are then put upon by catastrophes both medical and meteorological.

The resulting flooding forces a razor-sharp focus on survival and a series of adventures that brings the main characters into direct contact with circumstances both surreal and deathly real.

The main character is a seven-year-old girl. Much of the story is told and viewed from her perspective. This one’s a keeper. But don’t expect something warm and fuzzy.

Review copyright (c) 2013 by Dennis D. McDonald